EveryDay Explorers

Fall Contest Entries

Answers to: Why do leaves change color in the fall?

Both Answers are Correct!
Read them and use them as a way to explain to your child/children why leaves change color in the fall.

The "Food" Approach

Just like us, trees need lots of water and "food" to grow. During the warm or summer months, trees need lots of water and energy - they use a chemical called chlorophyll which gives leaves a green color. When the weather turns cooler or cold, they don't need as much water or "food". When trees stop making "food" for themselves, the chlorophyll goes away and then the green color of the leaves goes away also. The red, yellow, and purple colors on the leaves were always there but the green was "covering" them up - now that the green is going away, we can see all of the other beautiful colors.

The "Sun" Approach

The reason that leaves change color in the fall is all about sunshine. In the summer, the days are long and filled with sun. Plants need sun to make chlorophyll. Chlorophyll helps the leaves to grow strong and green.

In the fall, the days get shorter and the sun goes down earlier. There are not enough hours of sunlight for the plants to make lots of chlorophyll. The leaves that were once green and strong lose their green color, change to yellow or red or orange and eventually fall to the ground.

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Thank you for the great ideas!

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